The Las Vegas Raiders are charging into 2025 with a clean slate and a new leadership quartet. John Spytek, the Tampa Bay talent guru, has come in as GM paired with legendary head coach Pete Carroll, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and the return of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. From Spytek’s knack for finding gems, Carroll’s defensive mastery, Kelly’s offensive ingenuity, and Graham’s steady hand, a new dawn is rising in Sin City.
With the No. 6 pick and a full seven-round arsenal in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Raiders are ready to address their most significant needs—starting with quarterback—while building a roster that embodies their new vision. Here’s a complete mock draft explaining each pick, its reasoning, and an alternate if the top choice doesn’t work out.
Note: Several projections have the Raiders receiving a 6th Round compensatory pick for Amik Robertson , who signed with the Detroit Lions after 2023 season. Those are awarded in March, prior to the 2025 NFL Draft. I am not including those here as we don’t know at the time of publishing this how accurate that is.
Raiders Round 1, Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Reasoning: Pete Carroll built winners with a dominant run game (think Marshawn Lynch), and Chip Kelly’s offenses hum with versatile backs. The Raiders’ 2024 ground attack was the NFL’s worst (79.8 yards per game), and Ashton Jeanty is the fix. Boise State’s star racked up over 2,000 rushing yards and 40+ catches in 2023, blending power, speed, and receiving chops that scream Kelly’s spread-option dream. Spytek’s Bucs drafts favored offensive weapons early (e.g., Tristan Wirfs), and Jeanty, alongside Brock Bowers, could redefine this offense’s identity. With the three top QBs gone before their pick, the Raiders improve their offense with the best back in the draft.
Alternate: If Jeanty’s gone—maybe to the Titans or Jets (who would have to leapfrog the Raiders via trade)—Mason Graham, DT, Michigan, is the pick, despite needs at CB and DL. Graham’s a disruptive force up front, pairing with Maxx Crosby to anchor a defense Carroll and Graham will lean on.
Round 2, Pick 38: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Reasoning: The Raiders’ quarterback carousel stops here with Will Howard, a 6’4″, 237-pound dual-threat dynamo from Ohio State. I say his 2024 season was a breakout – he’s Josh Allen-lite in terms of his size, arm strength, and sneaky mobility (over 500 rushing yards). Chip Kelly’s system (one he flourished in on the way to the National Championship) loves QBs who can run RPOs and extend plays, a la Marcus Mariota at Oregon, and Howard’s physicality fits Carroll’s gritty ethos. Spytek’s Bucs took swings on developmental QBs like Kyle Trask and Howard could sit behind a veteran (Sam Darnold? Russell Wilson? ) while adapting to Kelly’s changes to his NFL playbook. This pick addresses the team’s most significant need with a high-ceiling prospect.
Alternate: If Howard’s gone, Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon, is the pick. Gabriel’s a 6’0”, 200-pound maestro with pinpoint accuracy and sneaky wheels, a Kelly favorite from his Pac-12 days. His experience (over 15,000 career passing yards) offers a quicker path to starting. Pick No. 38 might be a bit high for Gabriel, depending on how he does at the Combine. Still, he could be on the Raiders radar.
Will Howard vs #1 Oregon
— Mr. Ohio (@MrOH1O) January 2, 2025
319 Passing Yards
3 TDs
0 INTs pic.twitter.com/nAC7z4v3hl
Round 3, Pick 70 (via NYJ): Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
Reasoning: Pete Carroll’s defensive legacy hinges on standout safeties, and Kevin Winston Jr. fits the bill. At 6’2”, 206 pounds, Winston is a hard-hitting, instinctive defender with the range to patrol deep and the toughness to mix it up in the box—ideal for Patrick Graham’s multi-look schemes. With Tre’von Moehrig’s free agency on the horizon and his future with the Raiders unknown, the secondary needs a boost, and Winston’s 2023 Penn State tape shows tackling prowess and ball skills that echo Carroll’s Earl Thomas mold. Spytek’s Bucs drafts targeted defensive backs with upside (e.g., Antoine Winfield Jr.), and Winston’s a realistic Round 3 value who could start early. Winston did miss all but two weeks of the 2024 season with a knee injury, but he’s on track to be ready for mini-camp. Before the injury, he was a consensus Top 45 pick.
Winston’s 2023 Penn State tape shows tackling prowess and ball skills that echo Carroll’s Earl Thomas mold.
on Penn State S Kevin Winston, Jr.
Alternate: If Winston’s off the board, Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky, is another perfect pick here. Standing at 6’1”, 186 pounds, Hairston is a snappy, ball-thieving corner with the physicality and coverage skills Carroll appreciates, allowing him to play outside or slot into Graham’s defense flexibly. This could easily also be the pick the Raiders make should they value CB or S first in the NFL Draft.
Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr. has NEVER missed a tackle in his career and gets better in coverage every week.
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 20, 2024
At this rate, he’ll be a top 20 pick in 2025 👀 pic.twitter.com/oBMgqXaAHL
Round 3, Pick 86: Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
Reasoning: With Davante Adams gone, the Raiders need more juice at receiver, and Tez Johnson, a 5’10”, 160-pound dynamo from Oregon, brings electric playmaking to Kelly’s offense. Johnson’s 2024 season featured over 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns, leveraging his blazing speed (sub-4.4 40) and elusiveness after the catch—traits Kelly exploited with similar players at Oregon (e.g., De’Anthony Thomas). His familiarity with Kelly’s system makes him a seamless fit, giving Will Howard a shifty slot weapon to complement Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Spytek’s Bucs targeted explosive athletes, and Carroll loves speed. Johnson’s a realistic Round 3 steal.
Alternate: I could see the Raiders going defense here if Johnson is unavailable, too. Omarr Norman-Lott, a 6’3″, 305-pound DL from Tennessee, is a good fallback here. Norman-Lott has both agility and strength. He is anticipated to be a pick in the middle of the third round. He can excel in tackle or end positions, strengthening Graham’s defensive line alongside Crosby.
Related: Las Vegas Raiders expected to move on from former Pro Bowler
Round 4, Pick 118: Joshua Farmer, DL, Florida State
Reasoning: As I’ve said, Maxx Crosby needs a running mate up front, and Joshua Farmer, a 6’3”, 311-pound defensive lineman from Florida State, would give the Raiders defense some power and versatility. In 2024, Farmer showed how well he can hold the point against the run and push the pocket, with a stout frame and active hands that should fit well in Graham’s aggressive schemes. Projected as a top-of-Round-4 talent, he’s not an elite pass-rusher but does excel at 3-technique or 5-technique, complementing Crosby’s edge dominance. Carroll’s Seahawks thrived with rugged linemen (e.g., Brandon Mebane), and Spytek’s Bucs drafts leaned into trench depth—Farmer’s a Round 4 gem who strengthens the Raiders front.
Alternate: If Farmer’s gone, Jordan Phillips, DL, Maryland, would be a good pick. At 6’3”, 302 pounds, Phillips offers a similar profile with quickness off the snap and run-stopping ability, projected as an early-to-mid Round 4 pick who can rotate inside and grow into a more prominent role.
Round 5, Pick 150: Tommi Hill, CB, Nebraska
Reasoning: Carroll’s defenses do well with long, physical corners, and Tommi Hill, a 6’0”, 205-pound cornerback from Nebraska, is perfect for that role. In 2024, Hill showed the ability to press receivers, disrupt routes, and make plays on the ball, and his size and speed (sub 4.5 in 40) match Graham’s versatile schemes. A projected Round 5 talent, he’s a developmental piece who could battle for a starting outside spot or slot in as a depth option behind Jack Jones’ replacement and Jakorian Bennett. Spytek’s Bucs drafts favored athletic DBs, and Carroll’s Legion of Boom pedigree makes Hill a natural fit for the Raiders secondary.
Alternate: If Hill is unavailable, Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State, is a good second option. Hancock offers sticky coverage skills and versatility to play nickel or outside, but he’s just 5’11”, 195 pounds, and is projected as a mid-to-late Round 5 value who fits Graham’s multi-look approach.
Round 6, Pick 182: Jamaree Caldwell, DL, Oregon
Reasoning: Another boost to Graham’s defense comes with Jamaree Caldwell, a 6’1”, 325-pound defensive lineman from Oregon, who is a late-round steal due to his strength and quickness. Caldwell’s 2024 season proved himself a run lane clogger and pocket beast, a Round 6 type player with a stout frame — suitable for a nose tackle or 3 technique role. His up-tempo system experience at Oregon and his toughness match Carroll’s gritty defensive mentality. Spytek is a big fan of finding value on the line, and Caldwell provides depth to a line anchored by Crosby, Wilkins and Farmer.
Alternate: If Caldwell is taken, Howard Cross III, DL, Notre Dame, is a good late-round fallback. At 6’1, 288 pounds, Cross brings relentless energy and run-stuffing ability, projected as a mid to late Round 6 pick who can rotate inside and disrupt. He’s undersized for the NFL so he would come with risks.
Related: 2025 NFL Draft order right now: Round 1 draft order, NFL draft picks by team 2025
Round 7, Pick 206: Ricky White III, WR/ST, UNLV
Reasoning: Ricky White III, WR, UNLV, is a sneaky good pick in this draft. At 6’1″, 190 lbs., White is a lengthy ball specialist who can provide explosiveness in Kelly’s offense (with time to develop) and is a special teams star in the making. White led the nation with four blocked punts in 2024 and earned Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year— which adds a layer of utility Kelly and Carroll might appreciate for roster flexibility.
Alternate: While not the special teams gem White is, Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State, is a viable Round 7 option. At 6’1”, 195 lbs., Nash is versatile — a former QB turned receiver — and if his 2024 numbers (over 1,000 yards) are any indication, he could be a late-round developmental playmaker for Kelly’s offense.
Scott Gulbransen is an editor and host at Sportsnaut and the creator and host of Silver and Black Today — an Audacy Sports original podcast covering the Las Vegas Raiders.
